Mental Illness

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment

Morningside Recovery has provided successful Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment for years, whether it co-occurs with substance abuse or not. Using a variety of methods, Morningside helps clients suffering from (Trauma / PTSD) face their pain and trauma. Treatment of PTSD is similar to that of an anxiety disorder, often involving a combination therapies and treatments.

About PTSD

Extreme experiences in the past create trauma, and whether the client is a victim of physical or sexual assault, an injured party in a car accident, or a combat veteran, the first step to post-traumatic stress disorder treatment is education. Often through no fault of their own, clients with PTSD “re-experience” trauma that can come as a sudden, painful onslaught of emotions that seemingly have no cause, but are actually linked to the traumatic event. Clients suffering from PSTD can become irritable, even when not provoked, and may have trouble concentrating or remembering current information.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment

If the trauma is recent, it is important to allow the client time to heal. As trauma affects both the mind and the body, treatment for PTSD during this period involves nutritional guidance, sleep hygiene, and the creation a routine. A person who has survived a trauma cannot be expected to function as they would normally. Therefore, treatment would typically start simply with breathing exercises as a method for helping the client manage anxiety in early treatment.

Once stabilized, a client will begin a schedule for PTSD therapy, which often includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. CBT focuses on examining and challenging a client’s thinking processes and exploring the client’s environment to determine what might aggravate symptoms and what would reduce the sensitivity to a particular stimulus. EMDR, on the other hand, provides a platform for the client to work through the traumatic event at the root of his or her disorder.

Treatments for PTSD often involve feeling genuine emotion, often for the first time in years. Emotions are often those of grief that bring tears; there may also be feelings of anger or fear. In cases of physical or sexual assault, revenge fantasies are common, as are avoidance symptoms. Since these symptoms can lead to clients avoiding close emotional ties with family and friends, Morningside staff monitors familiar relationships by constantly encouraging family involvement in treatment and providing multiple levels of family programming each month. Family members can also gain an education into PTSD and its symptoms.

Regardless of theoretical orientation, therapy seeks to heal the emotionally numbed, or conversely allow the client to process the flood of emotions caused by the repeated re-experiencing of the event. Eventually, clients learn to face the situations and sensations that they have been avoiding out of fear and they learn to gain control over the anxious feelings rather than letting feelings control them. Over time, individuals change their opinions of themselves and others, and can build a new view of the world and redefine a positive sense of self.

About Morningside Recovery

Morningside Recovery provides treatment for PTSD, as well as addiction rehabilitation, dual-diagnosis treatment and a broad range of other programs. Our open treatment model provides daily support, customized treatment and thoroughly trained and educated clinical staff comprised of Masters and Doctorate level clinicians. PTSD treatment centers offer support in a real-world context, allowing for a smooth transition into a sustainable recovery. We firmly believe that we offer the best level of care and chance of recovery to anyone who needs help.

Your information is 100% confidential and protected by HIPAA, and will only be used by Morningside Recovery to assist you in placement in treatment or other services that you expressly request. We will never share any of your information with 3rd parties.